Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 3.djvu/469

 12 S. III. OCT., 1917-]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

463

Jlofcs nit

The Life of ihe Ri. Hon. Sir Charles W. Dilke,

Bart., M.P. Begun by Stephen Gwynn.

Completed and edited by Gertrude M. Tuck-

well. With Portraits and Illustrations. 2]vols.

(Murray, 11. 16s. net.)

THESE two volumes teem with interest, yet it is difficult to write about them in these columns because they contain very little which directly touches the position of "Sir Charles Dilke as proprietor of ' X. & Q.' for many years. It must not be inferred, however, from these scanty references that he did not feel adequately his responsibility as proprietor. Hardly an issue appeared without containing some point on which his opinion had been asked ; and his range of knowledge was as wide as the diversity of topics touched on in ' X. & Q.' Here is a bit from the chapter entitled ' Table Talk,' contributed by his old friend the Rev. W. Tuckwell, which illustrates a topic referred to in the present issue of ' X. <t Q.' : " He talked of Marlborough's victories : he hummed the opening verse of ' Malbroo]^ s'en va-t-en guerre.' I said_ it was our the tune goes back to the time of the Crusaders. I asked who wrote the words. He said an unknown French soldier on the night of Malplaquet* when Marlborough was believed to have been killed. Napoleon, who knew no music, often mounted his horse at the opening of a campaign singing the first line as he put his foot into the stirrup."
 * For he's a jolly good fellow ' : he said yes, but

The entries in the General Indexes under his name or under D. (an initial which he frequently used as the signature of his communications) by no means fully represent his contributions, which were invariably terse and to the point. His biographers record his purchase of ' N. & Q.' for 2,500Z. in 1872 from W. J. Thorns, our founder, whom he affectionately describes as " one of the dearest old men that ever was worshipped by his friends," and his appointment of Dr. Doran as editor ; and they also pay a warm tribute to the genial qualities of the beloved Joseph Knight, who has the distinction of having filled the editorial chair of ' X. & Q.' for a longer time than even Thorns himself.

Perhaps a few general remarks may be per- mitted from one who knew Sir Charles intimately, and who, in return for constant and generous help, felt for him both warm affection and great respect. .

The first thought which occurs is whether his life would have been one of greater usefulness if he had become Prime Minister, as Mr. Gladstone at one time considered probable. He was in thought far in advance of most of his contem- poraries ; he would not compromise, though as a " practical Socialist," as he designated himself on one occasion, he used his influence to further anything which he considered an instalment towards the ultimate reforms for which he was working ; but he also opposed certain changes which, in his opinion, would not lead to that goal, and this caused his sincerity to be impugned. It is doubtful whether the majority of the elec- torate are ready to appreciate such qualities in a Prime Minister.

Sir Charles Dilke did such admirable work in various fields that people of widely differing

interests are likely to claim that his best work was done on behalf of the cause which holds the greatest purpose for them. We make that claim for him in the realm of Labour. To read these volumes makes Jone realize how, knowing that the causes of the present war lie in past mis- use of material things and lack of spiritual insight, he would have loathed the verbiage which fills much of the press to-day. If, in addition to working strenuously as he did all his life, he had been obliged at some time to work in order to live, he might have been ac- cepted by the rank and file of Labour, and become the democratic leader. As it was, he was Labour's constant adviser, and was repaid by the respect and gratitude of the workers. ,

An incident not recorded in these volumes wil illustrate the width of his political knowledge- A new member who was personally unknown to Sir Charles came to ask him what attitude he would be expected to adopt towards a motion before the House. Sir Charles explained that if he was a Conservative, he would follow such and such a course ; if he was a Liberal, he would do so-and-so ; while if he was a Socialist, he would follow other lines indicated ; and he then left the member to be guided by his own political principles.

In certain things, such as those relating to his University and The Athenaeum, he was very conservative. He decided against any change in the latter while he lived, but, knowing how fully his ideals were shared by the man who under his will would ultimately control the paper, he never suggested that he would prefer the paper to remain exclusively literary, as it had become during his lifetime.

These volumes show how deepseated were his principles, and how thoroughly his life was con- trolled by them. His biographers have carried out a difficult task extraordinarily well. Strict chronology is sometimes departed from in order- that a sequence of events of importance may be treated together a method which is most helpful to the reader. A full index is also provided, as well as illustrations which bear witness to what strengthened and beautified a life lived for others

A New English Dictionary. (Vol. X. TiZ.) Verificatory Visor, By W. A. Craigie. (Ox- ford, Clarendon Press, 5s. net.) THE great Dictionary is now in its last volume and making satisfactory progress, though that formidable letter W remains to be attacked, and U, which raises the question how many negative forms are to be included, has not yet reached the stage of publication.

The section before us includes in all 3,002 words, the majority of which are attributed to Latin origins. The number of familiar and interesting words is considerable, e.g., the group which includes " villain," with its special form " villein," and " village." " Verily " is recog- nized as a convenient rime-tag in older poetry. " Verjuice " has some odd forms, such as " var- gis " and " werius." " Vermeil " is a pretty word which poets have seized on. " Vermin ' has both a general and a special sense, with exceptional uses in Australia and the United States. " Vernalize " has been happily in- troduced by Mr. William Watson, who was pro- bably unconscious of the only previous use noted,